JPH0792115A - Electron spin resonator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an electron spin resonator having a field generating function, a microwave oscillating function and an electron spin resonance signal receiving function in which overall size reduction is realized and a large resonator and field generator are made unnecessary. CONSTITUTION:An electron spin resonance probe 2 comprising a magnet 14 for generating field, an antenna pattern 12 for oscillating microwave and receiving an electron spin resonance signal produced through cooperation of the microwave and the field and a nonmagnetic mounting board 11 made of an insulator, is connected electrically with an electron spin resonator body 5 comprising an oscillator 3 and a receiver 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electron spin resonance apparatus used in an electron spin resonance method for nondestructively inspecting a biological material and other sample structures, and more particularly to a magnetic field generating function and microwave oscillation. Also, the present invention relates to an electron spin resonance apparatus which has a function of receiving an electron spin resonance signal and is particularly suitable for simple measurement of a test sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electron spin resonance (E
The SR) method is widely applied. This electron spin resonance method is a resonance phenomenon represented by the spin of electrons; that is, when an unpaired electron with a magnetic moment and spin is in a static magnetic field,
When this is irradiated with microwaves such as electromagnetic waves, the electrons absorb the energy of the electromagnetic waves and are activated, and the electron spin resonance signal is measured from the absorption spectrum obtained by this resonance phenomenon based on the phenomenon of transition from the ground state to the excited state. Then
For example, it directly detects paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals existing in the living body.

In conducting an inspection by applying such an electron spin resonance method, generally, an electron spin resonance apparatus having the following structure is used. That is, the electron spin resonance device is obtained after a resonator of a loop gap type or the like, a magnetic field generator arranged in the vicinity of this resonator, a radio frequency (RF) oscillator for oscillating an electromagnetic wave, and the oscillation of this electromagnetic wave. An RF control device for receiving an electron spin resonance signal, and in addition to this, a calculation control device for performing a calculation process for the electron spin resonance signal, a monitor device for displaying a calculation result as an imaging image or an absorption waveform, and the like. Is provided.

According to the above-mentioned electron spin resonance apparatus, after inserting the sample to be tested in the resonator, the resonator is irradiated with electromagnetic waves of a constant frequency from the RF oscillator to cause resonance of the electromagnetic waves in the resonator. At the same time, the magnetic field is applied to the inside of the resonator by the magnetic field generator. Then, an electron spin resonance signal is obtained from the absorption spectrum obtained by this, the RF receiver receives the electron spin resonance signal, the arithmetic and control unit processes the electron spin resonance signal, and the result is displayed on a monitor unit. There is.

[0005]

However, since the above-mentioned electron spin resonance apparatus performs an inspection with the sample to be inspected inserted in the resonator, the substance to be inspected is relatively large such as a human body. If so, not only the resonator body, but also the magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field inside this resonator becomes large in size, and the overall structure is complicated. However, it is not suitable for simple measurement such as simply checking the presence or absence of free radicals. Further, for example, when examining a diseased part such as a gastrointestinal tract or a blood vessel in a human body, as a matter of course, the electron spin resonance device has a smaller noise and a stronger signal strength as it is closer to the measured diseased part, and has a good sensitivity. Since it can be measured with, it is desirable to insert an electron spin resonance device into the affected area for measurement,
To date, a small electron spin resonance device that has both a magnetic field generation function, an electromagnetic wave oscillation function, and an electron spin resonance signal reception function and that can be inserted into a small-diameter site such as the gastrointestinal or blood vessels has not been provided. Is the reality.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, and its object is to combine a magnetic field generating function with an electromagnetic wave oscillation and electron spin resonance signal receiving function, and to provide a large resonator and a magnetic field generating device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electron spin resonance apparatus that can eliminate the need for the above and can realize the miniaturization of the entire apparatus.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention includes a magnet for generating a magnetic field, an electromagnetic wave for oscillating a microwave, and an electron spin resonance signal obtained by the cooperation of the microwave and the magnetic field. The electronic spin resonance probe main body including an oscillator and a receiver is electrically connected to an electron spin resonance probe attached to a non-magnetic insulator.

[0008]

According to the electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention, a magnet for generating a magnetic field is attached to a non-magnetic insulator, while oscillating a microwave and obtaining an electron spin by the cooperation of the microwave and the magnetic field. An antenna for receiving a resonance signal is also provided with an electron spin resonance probe attached to the non-magnetic insulator, so that the magnet applies a magnetic field and the antenna oscillates a microwave and receives an electron spin resonance signal. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large resonator and a magnetic field generator, and the overall size and cost of the device can be reduced. Thus, for example, when detecting paramagnetic ions, active oxygen, free radicals, etc. in a living body using such an electron spin resonance apparatus, hold the electron spin resonance probe manually and apply it to the epidermis of the living body. The test may be performed, or the probe may be inserted into a body cavity or a hollow organ to perform the test. Since the operation is simple, it is extremely effective for simple measurement of a test substance.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the electron spin resonance apparatus 1 of the present invention. In this figure, an electron spin resonance apparatus 1 has an electron spin resonance probe 2, an electron spin resonance apparatus body 5 including an oscillator 3 and a receiver 4,
Furthermore, the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 5 is provided with an arithmetic and control unit 6
And a monitor device 7 are connected.

The electron spin resonance probe 2 has a loop-shaped coil portion 12b on one end side of straight portions 12a which are parallel to each other, on a substrate 11 formed of a plate-like nonmagnetic insulator such as rubber, fluororesin or the like. While fixing the antenna pattern 12, the antenna pattern 1
The magnet support 13 is fixed inside the second coil portion 12b,
Further, a magnet 14 such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet is attached to the magnet support 13, and although not shown in FIG. 1, generally the substrate 11 and the antenna pattern 1 are provided.
2. A casing that surrounds the magnet support 13 and the magnet 14 is provided.

Such an electron spin resonance probe 2 is
For example, like a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the size is such that a person can hold it with one hand and move it freely, and the electric energy sent from the oscillator 3 of the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 5 is transmitted to the antenna. The pattern 12 receives the microwaves such as electromagnetic waves from the coil portion 12b, and an electron spin resonance signal is obtained from an absorption spectrum obtained by irradiation of this electromagnetic wave and application of a magnetic field by the magnet 14, and this is obtained. After being received by the antenna pattern 12, it is sent to the receiver 4 of the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 5.

The oscillator 3 connected to the electron spin resonance probe 2 is internally provided with a power source, an oscillating circuit, etc., which are not shown, and converts energy from the power source into electrical energy which periodically changes in the oscillating circuit. , To the antenna pattern 12. On the other hand, the receiver 4 includes an amplifier, a converter and the like (not shown) inside,
While converting the electron spin resonance signal sent from the antenna pattern 12 into a signal corresponding to the arithmetic and control unit 6,
This signal is amplified when transmitted.

In the above description, the electron spin resonance probe 2 and the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 5 may be physically connected to each other by, for example, a cable or the like.
In another form, an antenna is provided separately from the antenna pattern 12 on the oscillator 3 and the receiver 4 of the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 5, and the antenna 3 moves from the oscillator 3 to the antenna pattern 12 of the electron spin resonance probe 2 by this antenna. It is also possible to give energy by radio waves and send the electron spin resonance signal by radio waves from the antenna pattern 12 to the receiver 4.

Further, the arithmetic and control unit 6 connected to the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 5 controls the power supply in the oscillator 3 and converts the signal sent from the receiver 4 into a signal corresponding to the monitor unit 7. It is a thing. In this example, the monitor device 7 simply displays the signal sent from the arithmetic and control unit 6 as an absorption waveform, but it may be replaced with an image display or the like, or an additional one may be added if necessary. Good.

Next, the operation of the electron spin resonance apparatus 1 having the above structure will be described. For example, when the electron spin resonance probe 2 is applied to the outside of the test substance (skin in the case of a human body) to detect paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals present in the test substance, for example, an operator, etc. Grips the casing of the electron spin resonance probe 2, applies the magnet 14 inside the casing toward the test substance side, and moves the magnet 14 along the outside of the test substance. On this occasion,
A power source provided in the oscillator 3 of the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 2 is activated to send electric energy from the oscillation circuit to the antenna pattern 12.

Antenna pattern 1 receiving electric energy
2 radiates an electromagnetic wave having a frequency corresponding to the electric energy from the coil portion 12b toward the test substance. At the same time, a sufficient magnetic field is applied to the measurement site of the test substance by the magnet 14, so that the irradiated electromagnetic wave is absorbed and, as a result, a resonance phenomenon occurs. More specifically, when an electromagnetic wave from the antenna pattern 12 is applied to a measurement site of a test substance to which a magnetic field is applied, when the electromagnetic wave is irradiated with various free radicals, the electromagnetic wave is absorbed and resonated. A phenomenon occurs, and the electron spin resonance signal can be measured from the absorption spectrum obtained thereby. Then, this electron spin resonance signal is transmitted to the antenna pattern 1
Thus, the antenna pattern 12 receives both the electromagnetic wave and the electron spin resonance signal.

The electron spin resonance signal after reception is received by the receiver 4
At, the signal is converted into a signal corresponding to the arithmetic and control unit 6, amplified, and sent to the arithmetic and control unit 6. The arithmetic and control unit 6 converts this signal into a signal corresponding to the monitor unit 7, and the monitor unit 7 displays, for example, an absorption waveform or an imaging image based on this signal. Therefore, the operator can detect free radicals in the test substance by visually observing the absorption waveform or the imaging image displayed on the monitor device 7.

In addition to the above example, when detecting various free radicals or the like from the inside of the test substance (in the body cavity or hollow organ of the human body), the electron spin resonance probe 2 is used as a flexible tube. The operation section main body is connected to the insertion section consisting of the body,
It may be provided in a device such as a so-called endoscope in which the distal end of the insertion portion can be bent vertically and horizontally by the operation portion main body. That is, the electron spin resonance probe 2 has a size that can be inserted into the esophagus or the intestine, and the electron spin resonance probe 2 is attached to the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity such as the stomach or the intestine. Insert inside. When the insertion is completed, electric energy is sent from the oscillator 3 to the antenna pattern 12 while the distal end to which the electron spin resonance probe 2 is attached is directed in a desired direction by the operation portion main body. The subsequent resonance phenomenon, the measurement of the electron spin resonance signal, and the processing thereof are the same as those in the above-mentioned case, and the operator can visually check the absorption waveform or the imaging image displayed on the monitor device 7, Free radicals in substances can be detected.

As described above, in the electron spin resonance apparatus 1 of the present invention, the antenna pattern 12 provided on the electron spin resonance probe 2 oscillates an electromagnetic wave and receives an electron spin resonance signal, and the magnet 14 applies a magnetic field. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large resonator and a magnetic field generator, and the entire device can be made compact. Therefore, the device can be easily operated regardless of the shape and size of the test substance, and it is particularly suitable for simple measurement such as simply detecting the presence or absence of free radicals.

When microwaves such as electromagnetic waves are oscillated, for example, microwaves in the L-band band having a frequency of about 390 MHz to 1550 MHz are oscillated.
The dielectric loss caused by the influence of water contained in the biological material is reduced, the electron spin resonance sensitivity is improved, and accurate measurement can be performed. In addition to the electron spin resonance device 1 described above, an AFC (Auto-Frequency Control) function that keeps the frequency of the oscillator always within a specific range, an AZC (Auto-Inpedance Control) function, and an ATC
By providing (Auto-Tuning Control) function and others, better measurement can be performed.

[0021]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention, a magnet for generating a magnetic field is attached to a non-magnetic insulator while oscillating a microwave and generating a microwave. An antenna for receiving an electron spin resonance signal obtained by cooperation with the magnetic field is also provided with an electron spin resonance probe attached to the non-magnetic insulator, so that the magnet applies a magnetic field and a micro antenna is used by the antenna. Waves can be oscillated and an electron spin resonance signal can be received. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large resonator and a magnetic field generator, and the overall size and cost of the device can be reduced. In addition, the device can detect paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals by a simple operation regardless of the shape and size of the test substance, and is very effective especially when used for simple measurement.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram shown as an embodiment of an electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electron Spin Resonance Device 2 Electron Spin Resonance Probe 3 Oscillator 4 Receiver 5 Electron Spin Resonance Device Main Body 11 Base (Non-Magnetic Insulator) 12 Antenna Pattern 14 Magnet

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnet for generating a magnetic field, and an antenna for oscillating a microwave and receiving an electron spin resonance signal obtained by cooperation of the microwave and the magnetic field.
An electron spin resonance apparatus characterized in that an electron spin resonance probe main body including an oscillator and a receiver is electrically connected to an electron spin resonance probe attached to a non-magnetic insulator.